Boiling Springs, N.C. -- No. 11/13 Virginia Tech softball received contributions from every part of its lineup as the Hokies put 15 runs on the board to knock off the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 15-3 in five innings on Wednesday.
Freshman Lyndsey Grein (5-1) started in the circle and picked up the win for Virginia Tech (17-4). The right-hander went three innings, giving up three runs, one earned, on three hits, allowing one walk and striking out one. Sophomore Molly Jacobson also made an impact in the circle for the Hokies, throwing two shutout innings while allowing one hit, with no walks and two strikeouts.
Freshman Teagan Thrunk led the way offensively for the Hokies, going 2-for-2 in the ballgame with a home run and two RBI. Sophomore Bre Peck went 1-for-1 with a home run and three RBI. Junior Cameron Fagan also chipped in, going 2-for-3 for Virginia Tech with a home run and two RBI. Emma Ritter, Jayme Bailey, Morgan Overaitis and Grace Chavez also added home runs on the day.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Ritter put Virginia Tech on the board with a leadoff home run off freshman Alli Stidham.
After the Runnin' Bulldogs rallied to tie the ballgame at one, the Hokies came back to retake the lead in the third inning. The Virginia Tech offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of Bailey, which brought the score to 6-1 in favor of the Hokies.
Gardner-Webb narrowed Virginia Tech's lead to 6-3 before the Hokies stretched the advantage to 13-3 in the fourth inning. The Hokies hit three home runs in the inning on the way to scoring seven runs.
The Hokies scored twice on solo home runs from senior Grace Chavez and senior Morgan Overaitis in the fifth, bringing the score to 15-3 in favor of Virginia Tech. The score remained 15-3 for the remainder of the game as Jacobson and the defense shut down the Gardner-Webb offense.
GAME NOTES
» Every Virginia Tech starter reached base safely in the win.
» Virginia Tech's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed seven runs across.
» Virginia Tech hitters hit seven home runs in the ballgame.
» The Hokies out-hit the Runnin' Bulldogs at a 13-4 clip.
» Virginia Tech went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Virginia Tech pitchers limited Gardner-Webb to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» The Hokies drew six walks from Gardner-Webb pitching.
» Thrunk led the Hokies at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBI.
The Hokies now continue their road trip, traveling to Chapel Hill to take on North Carollina in a three-game series from March 10-12.